onepinkfuzzy

When the doctor came out to talk to my mom about the surgery, he told her that I had “a VERY sick gallbladder” (he said that twice). Wow! I got more details from the anesthesiologist (we bonded over love of running and Sabino Canyon) later – it was very inflamed and soft. So it wasn’t all in my head (like I was afraid of) and the part of me that thought all my extra energy was going to my gallbladder was right! It really was sick!

Surgery went well. They said I wasn’t a typical gallbladder patient. They were surprised at how well I bounced back, and also what a heathy weight I was at (most gallbladder patients are overweight – which is why they need the surgery in the first place, since obesity is the number one cause of gallbladder problems). When I explained that I used to weigh 70 pounds more (back when I was diagnosed), they were shocked. The anesthesiologist was especially shocked when she heard how I did it – all carbs, all the time.

I couldn’t sleep this morning (just not tired), so it’s 5:45 and I’m awake. Johnny and Ash are sleeping. I’m a little nauseous and definitely sore, so I took a vicodin, which should take effect shortly. I wanted chocolate milk and low-fat ice cream, but the nurses told me “no dairy” until tonight or tomorrow. Oh well.

Oh man, after they drugged me, they wheeled me into the surgery room and the only thing I remember is how metal and alien-like everything looked. I’m sure I said something before I conked out.

And that STORM yesterday!!!! I can’t even begin to describe what it was like to drive to St. Joe’s in the flooded streets of Tucson. Kept trying to find another, drier way, but every street was flooded – even the large ones!! And the water was up over the edges of the sidewalks. Real flooding. It was sort of scary. But fun. Took my mind off things!

Michelle sent me a card (thank you Michelle!!!) that I really loved. The front says, "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the rist it took to blossom." -Anais Nin That is so powerful to me! (plus the card is pink :) )

I want to give a shout-out to all my homies in da hood who have given me such love and support: Elaine (miss goddess of estrogen) for lending me the Jesus figurine (running gag in our office - when something breaks, bring the Jesus over); Paki for making me run one last time, for giving me big hugs before I left and listening to my incoherent rambling late last night after the surgery while she was at a ballgame; Kiera for an awesome recovery T-shirt (picture to come soon) and great books/dvd/videos to borrow while recovering in addition to good recommendations for authors/books; Olga, for a great conversation last week that helped alleviate my fears and for promising that she's coming out for OP50; Michelle for the "surprise" card (she e-mailed Johnny for our address so she could surprise me, but I always read Johnny's mail! Hey, it doesn't help that he set his e-mail account as our homepage) and also for giving me all the details I needed to know about gallbladder surgery; my mama for coming down from Mesa to help out so Johnny and Ash didn't have to wait for 9 hours in the hospital and also for the hours of rubbing my head she gave me last night as I woke up; my boss for giving me a great pep talk using running metaphors (think of the finish line!) before I left for surgery; my boys for all their love and support; Kimmy, who offered unlimited support this weekend if I needed anything; Laura, for giving me lots of surgery info and offering a good-luck angel; and all my coworkers for such great support. Oh YEAH - AND all of YOU for all your support and encouragement!!!

Whew! My tummy hurts, so I'm off to the couch to rest.